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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE HIGHLAND PARK SHOOTING
WHEREAS, the Fourth of July is traditionally celebrated with parades and festivities; and
WHEREAS, last year, tragedy struck as a gunman utilized a high-powered rifle to open fire on the crowd gathered to celebrate the holiday in Highland Park; and
WHEREAS, in a matter of moments this horrific event took the lives of seven individuals, and injured dozens more; and
WHEREAS, we remember the names of those whose lives were taken too soon: Katherine Goldstein; Irina and Kevin McCarthy; Jacquelyn Sundheim; Stephen Straus; Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza; and Eduardo Uvaldo. May their memory be a blessing; and
WHEREAS, we recognize the first responders who sprung into action without a moment’s hesitation, tending to the wounded and working to secure the premises; and
WHEREAS, we laud the trauma surgeons, nurses, and doctors at Highland Park Hospital, who have sadly had to train for moments like this one, and who worked tirelessly to aid those coming in through their doors; and
WHEREAS, we lift up the Highland Park community, under the leadership of Mayor Nancy Rotering, who banded together in the face of tragedy to help strangers and neighbors alike, both on the day of the shooting, and in the weeks and months ahead; and
WHEREAS, it is a tragic fact that horrific gun violence happens on a daily basis in Chicago, in Cook County, and throughout our nation - and sadly in stark contrast quite often without garnering a similar sympathetic response. Per the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 311 mass shootings through mid-June alone; and
WHEREAS, we cannot continue to stand idly by as we lose community members to entirely preventable gun violence at parades, in their homes, at the grocery store, on the playground, in movie theaters, at schools, or in their places of worship; and
WHEREAS, we must commit to enacting common sense gun laws, expanding access to mental health care, and eradicating hate that is all too pervasive in our day to day lives; and
WHEREAS, these are lofty goals are essential to the well-being of our communities and their residents. Without action, we are doing a great disservice to those who have lost their lives to senseless gun violence; and
WHEREAS, to community support and solidarity, the Highland Park community will again gather this 4th of July for a remembrance ceremony followed by a community walk of the 2022 parade route as a sign of resilience; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners expresses its support of the strength and spirit of the Highland Park community as they continue to heal from last year’s gun violence; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby vow to support efforts that reduce gun violence, expand access to mental health resources, fight against hate, and create positive opportunities for young people; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of same be tendered to the Village of Highland Park as a means of communicating our unwavering support.end